Golf goes on without Tiger

By

THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. – Tiger Woods may not be here, but the World Golf Ranking points are.

For the first time players in this week’s Chevron World Challenge will be awarded world ranking points, and not just a token amount when compared to other tournaments.

According to PGA Tour calculations Sunday’s champion will earn 48 points, double the amount won by Stephen Ames at last month’s Children's Miracle Network Classic and just shy of the 56 points Phil Mickelson collected for his victory at the Tour Championship.

“It’s huge,” said Chevron tournament director Greg McLaughlin, noting this week’s stop is the only unofficial money event to be awarded ranking points. “I have had equipment manufacturers calling me the last few weeks to get the points we are giving out because they are going to impact season-ending contracts.”

The 18-man World Challenge is also one of only two short-field events to earn points, along with the 16-player Volvo World Match Play on the European Tour that was won by Ross Fisher, who collected 42 points.

Not bad for a “silly season” event, with or without Woods.

Tags:

Hoggard, a senior writer, covers the PGA Tour and appears on Golf Central and Morning Drive.